Saturday Poem

Two Poem Renderings of Hafiz

Manic Screaming

We should make all spiritual talk
Simple today:

God is trying to tell you something,
But you don’t want to buy.

That is what your suffering is:

Your fantastic haggling,
Your manic screaming over the price!

My Brilliant Image

One day the sun admitted,

I am just a shadow.
I wish I could show you
The infinite incandescence (Tej)

That has cast my brilliant image!

I wish I could show you,
When you are lonely or in darkness,

The Astonishing Light

Of your own being!

from I Heard God Laughing
Renderings of Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky
Penguin Books, 2006